Perth Glory sign Shane Smeltz to replace Robbie Fowler

Shane Smeltz - He wasn't good enough for Halifax Town four years ago. But now he is good enough to replace Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler at Perth Glory.

Australian A-League side Perth Glory have won the race to sign NZ All Whites Striker Shane Smeltz as their marquee player.

The $1.2 million deal over three years, spells the end for Robbie Fowler in Australia. The Liverpool legends two year stint in Aussie playing for North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory saw him net nine goals for each club.

It is rumoured that a lower league side in the United Kingdom will sign Fowler, with Championship club Preston North End having shown interest in recent times.

Fowler turns 36 next month but still has the desire to play at least one more season.

The Newcastle Jets formally pulled out of the race to sign Shane Smeltz late last week when they decided they could not match Perth’s big offer.

Most A-League clubs are suffering from financial difficuties, so splashing serious money on one player would likely send a club to the wall. All that is it seems except Perth Glory. Must be some serious money floating around in Western Australia.

Smeltz has a fantastic A-League record, scoring 42 goals in 66 A-League matches to date. He is second only to Archie Thompson (51 goals) in A-League scoring history.

Perth Glory were truly awful last season, but have done some serious recruitment in the off-season. Aside from Smeltz, they have gained classy goal keeper Danny Vukovic from the Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United captain Travis Dodd.